ISC Members and Fellows are invited to collaborate on some of the most frequently requested topics for ISC action, including free movement of scientists, research integrity in the age of AI, and protection of science in times of crisis and conflict, among others. The ISC’s Committee for Freedom and Responsibility in Science (CFRS) is exploring five new initiatives, in response to issues and concerns raised by the scientific community. To make efficient and meaningful progress on these important issues, the Committee requires your support. We encourage Members, Fellows, and colleagues from all regions and disciplines to explore potential areas for collaboration and contribution. Please visit their page for more information.
UNESCO, in collaboration with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Center (CCDC), is launching a targeted remote capacity-building training focused on crystallography and solid state research. This call is under the framework of the UNESCO’s Remote Access to Lab Equipment (UNESRALE) Initiative and aligns with the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. This initiative aims at training future community leaders in the field of solid state science and crystallography. It has a twofold goal: to equip participants with the skills and tools needed to strengthen their own research and teaching, and to prepare them to serve as leaders and trainers within their institutions, empowering more researchers and students to use the CSD data and software.
A workshop series organized by UNESCO, the European Research Infrastructure for biobanking and biomolecular resources (BBMRI-ERIC) and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO/IARC). This workshop series is designed for early to mid-career researchers in the biomedical and medical sciences whose work involves, or will involve, the use of human biological samples and associated data for research purposes. It is particularly relevant for researchers who are currently working with, or planning to engage with, biobanks and biobanking infrastructures.
Created in 1998, the International Awards L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science honours – every year – 5 eminent women scientists from 5 regions of the world. Alternating every other year, these exceptional researchers are rewarded for their important contributions to the progress of science, either in Life sciences or in the fields of Physical sciences, Mathematics and Computer science. An award of €100,000 is given to each of the five laureates selected by a jury of internationally renowned experts.
Nominations are now open for the Al-Sumait Prize for African Development 2026. The prize aims to recognize and appreciate the best studies, scientific projects, applied research, and initiatives with high impact for the advancement of economic, social, human resources, and infrastructure development in the African continent. The Al-Sumait Prize for African Development is an annual award initiated by the Late Amir of the State of Kuwait, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, after a Kuwaiti physician, the late Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait, who dedicated his life towards helping the disadvantaged in Africa in many fields including health, food security, and education. The subject for the 2026 prize cycle is Education.
With the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), UNESCO-TWAS is launching a new programme to strengthen the research capacity of selected countries in the MENA region. The programme is aimed at young scientists from a number of selected Middle Eastern and North African countries (see “Eligibility criteria” below), as well as for diaspora from these countries. It focuses on capacity building in science and education in the target countries, with particular emphasis on research and academic training, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations with German laboratories. Grants are awarded to promising and competitive research projects in key areas relevant to the ‘High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD)’: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technologies, Microelectronics, Biotechnology, Fusion and Climate-Neutral Energy Transition, Technology for Climate-Neutral Mobility, Aerospace, Health Research, Marine, Climate and Sustainability Research, Humanities and Social Sciences.
DFG Invites Highly Qualified Researchers in Early Career Phases in the Field of AI Methods to Submit Proposals under the Emmy Noether Programme – The objective of this call is to attract the next generation of highly qualified researchers in AI method development by offering early-career opportunities involving a high degree of independence. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to establish and lead an Emmy Noether Group for a period of up to six years, enabling them to refine their research profile, enhance their international visibility and become eligible for a professorship.
The InterAcademy Partnership is highlighting a major new research funding opportunity for scientists in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. UNESCO‑TWAS, with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), has launched the Grants for Transformative and Collaborative Research in the Middle East and North Africa (GTCR‑MENA) programme to strengthen research capacity and foster collaborations between researchers in the MENA region and German laboratories.
The call invites Principal Investigators with a PhD to submit competitive research proposals in key scientific fields aligned with Germany’s High‑Tech Agenda (HTAD). Eligible areas include Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Technologies, Microelectronics, Biotechnology, Fusion and Climate‑Neutral Energy Transition, Technology for Climate‑Neutral Mobility, Aerospace, Health Research, Marine, Climate and Sustainability Research and selected Humanities and Social Sciences topics.
The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) launches its Introduction to Responsible Research Assessment Course. This online, self-paced course provides an approachable, entry-level curriculum for anyone at any career stage and in a variety of roles to learn about responsible research assessment (RRA). The course is free for individuals to take but it requires registration and provides the option of issuing a certificate for each of its four lessons and one for its full content
The Geneva Science-Policy Interface (GSPI) have announced that registrations are now open for their annual Science-Policy Summer School: “Science and Policy for Environmental Action”, taking place from 22-26 June 2026 at the University of Geneva.
This program brings together early-career researchers (PhD candidates and postdocs), policy professionals, and practitioners to develop practical skills in knowledge brokering, science-policy collaborations, and global policy engagement. Participants will gain hands-on experience and guidance from 20+ experts from Geneva and beyond.
Applications are accepted until classes are filled.
UNESCO is building a global roster of science experts to support its work and strengthen collaboration among Member States. The roster highlights specialists across fields such as basic sciences, engineering, life sciences, emerging technologies, science policy, open science, education and communication. Participants may be considered for evaluations and technical support roles, helping advance UNESCO’s mission. The roster aims to include experts from across all regions and disciplines, with a focus on scientific excellence and representation.
Internationally renowned professors in the humanities and social sciences, currently based in the USA, are invited to apply for an exciting opportunity to conduct research at an academic institution in Germany while maintaining ties with their home institution.
The program supports research on the future of democracy, fundamental rights and academic freedom, and the future of transatlantic relations. Funding provides annual research stays in Germany for collaboration and exchange with German colleagues, while also enabling continued contributions to academic and public debates in the USA.
Deadline: Applications can be submitted at any time starting January 15, 2026
The ISC has appointed a Steering Group to guide the work of the Forum on Publishing and Research Assessment, which brings together a broad community of stakeholders to advance global dialogue and action on the future of publishing and research assessment systems: https://council.science/news/steering-group-research-assessment/.
If you are working on reform in scientific publishing or research assessment and would like to contribute to this project, please consider joining the Forum by completing the online form at https://council.science/our-work/forum-science-publishing-assessment/.
Membership of the Forum entails contributing expertise and perspectives to collective discussions on the future of publishing and research assessment, engaging in consultations, reviewing and commenting on emerging outputs, and helping shape the Forum’s priorities and activities over time.
The Earth System Governance (ESG) Data Directory provides a shared space to list both existing and upcoming environmental governance-related datasets and databases, with links to where more information or downloads are available. It serves as an open resource for the community, supporting transparency, collaboration, and more efficient research—especially for early-career scholars.
The goal is simple: to make existing data more visible and accessible to those who can build on it. You can contribute by submitting information below on relevant datasets or databases to be included in the directory.
GYA alumna Lisa Herzog (University of Groningen, Netherlands), together with a group of colleagues including GYA founding member Amal Amin (National Research Center, Egypt), regularly reflect on issues of fairness and equity in global science and conclude that they need some comparative numbers to convince organizers of global science events to move away from what they perceive as a pattern of mostly-Western-and-a-few-token-non-Western-speakers.
They’ve set up a survey, and request that you both fill it in, and share on your networks.
EMCRs are invited to use the research funding database provided by scientifyRESEARCH. The open/free version of the database is available to all. A premium version can be accessed for a fee and would have broader functionality, e.g., additional eligibility filters and no ads. A free grant alert service, whereby researchers can sign up to receive email notifications if a relevant grant is posted, can be accessed here: https://www.scientifyresearch.org/content-alert/
This is a continuously updated repository of federal and private funding opportunities that are intended for late postdoctoral investigators and early-career faculty, usually those at or below the rank of assistant professor. Some opportunities may also be open to mid-career faculty; this has been designated in the eligibility requirements. The opportunities are pre-sorted chronologically and alphabetically, and can be searched by funding amount and subject matter.
The Climate Impacts Awards, fund researchers to take on important questions relating to life, health, and wellbeing, with creative approaches that push boundaries. They plan to spend £16 billion by 2032 to advance scientific discovery and take on the world’s most urgent health issues. They believe ground-breaking discoveries are more likely to occur in collaborations between a diverse range of people, so they are working with partners and the teams they fund to support a thriving, inclusive research culture.
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are open to all domains of research and innovation, chosen freely by the applicants in a fully bottom-up manner. Any type of organisation can apply for Horizon Europe funding as long as they have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the tasks they propose.
The UN Foundation and the IPCC are partnering to make climate science more accessible to global youth. The initiative, called #SayItWithScience, uses art to rapidly communicate climate solutions to new audiences. To make IPCC science more accessible, UNF is calling on young artists to help visualize climate solutions and energize the call to “unite behind the science.” As part of the Say It With Science initiative, this artwork would be credited in public communications and could potentially feature in upcoming report releases by the IPCC on the latest science of climate change.
The YAE initially recruited about 100 members from the pool of ERC Starting Grant holders. Since 1st January 2014, the YAE has been open to leading young scholars whose excellence at the international level has been recognised by their peers (for instance, holders of prestigious European or national research grants or awards) for bottom-up nominations (or self-nominations).
The ISC is convening a global network of science communicators across our community to learn, collaborate, network, and collectively advance science as a global public good. The network is open to all interested staff, office bearers, or representatives of ISC Members, affiliated bodies and partners, but will be particularly useful for those in communications-related roles – managing social media and websites, writing blogs and press releases, producing multimedia content, working with press, and doing other similar work.